Daily Dose of the DUB: Tri-City team activities suspended, first goals, and more!

Western Hockey League announces suspension of Tri-City Americans team activities

Following the findings of a positive COVID-19 test in a player on the Tri-City Americans, the WHL has suspended all team activities for the team. The league was forced to postpone three games.

  • Saturday, April 17 – vs. Spokane
  • Sunday, April 18 – @ Spokane
  • Wednesday, April 21 – @ Seattle

Should more games be affected, the WHL will make an announcement at that time.

Marleau ties NHL games played record

Forward Patrick Marleau (143GP, 83G, 116A with Seattle) has tied Gordie Howe’s NHL record for games played at 1767. Marleau has played in 23 different NHL seasons with San Jose, Toronto, and Pittsburgh. The Sharks selected Marleau second overall at the 1997 NHL Draft. The 41-year-old Swift Current, SK native has scored 566 goals and added 630 assists in his career.

Wong scores first WHL hat trick

Kelowna Rockets 2003-born forward Trevor Wong scored his first WHL hat trick (and added a fourth goal) in the Rockets 7-5 win over the Prince George Cougars. Two of his four goals came with a Rockets player in the penalty box. The four goals were Wong’s first four points of the season.

Tallman scores first WHL goal

Portland Winterhawks 2003-born defenseman Brody Tallman scored his first WHL goal at 5:59 of the third period in the Winterhawks 3-1 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds. Tallman’s goal gave the Winterhawks a 3-1 lead. The Winterhawks selected Tallman in the eighth round of the 2018 WHL Draft, he was playing in his sixth WHL game.

Reimer scores first WHL goal

Edmonton Oil Kings 2004-born forward Caleb Reimer scored his first WHL goal at 13:44 of the second period in the Oil Kings 6-5 shootout loss to the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Reimer’s goal tied the game at four. The Oil Kings selected Reimer in the first round of the 2019 WHL Draft, he was playing in his 11th WHL game.

Andresen scores first WHL goal

Medicine Hat Tigers 2005-born forward Reid Andresen scored his first WHL goal at 18:20 of the second period in the Tigers 5-2 win over the Red Deer Rebels. Andresen’s goal tied the game at two. The Tigers selected Andresen in the first round of the 2020 WHL Draft, he was playing in his fifth WHL game and now has one goal and two assists on the season.

Wright scores first WHL goal

Saskatoon Blades 2003-born defenseman Charlie Wright scored his first WHL goal at 0:43 of the first period in the Blades 3-2 shootout loss to the Swift Current Broncos. Wright’s goal gave the Blades a 1-0 lead. The Blades selected Wright in the fourth round of the 2018 WHL Draft. He is playing in his second season with the team.

Cristall scores first WHL goal

Kelowna Rockets 2005-born forward Andrew Cristall scored his first WHL goal at 16:53 of the first period in the Rockets 7-5 win over the Prince George Cougars. Cristall’s goal gave the Rockets a 2-1 lead. The Rockets selected Cristall in the first round of the 2020 WHL Draft, he was playing in his third WHL game and now has one goal and two assists on the season.

O’Brien scores first WHL goal

Prince George Cougars 2003-born forward Fischer O’Brien scored his first WHL goal at 10:43 of the second period in the Cougars 7-5 loss to the Kelowna Rockets. O’Brien’s came short-handed and cut the Rockets’ lead to 4-2. O’Brien was playing in his 10th WHL game.

Popugayev signs extension with Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk

Forward Nikita Popugayev (154GP, 47G, 76A with Moose Jaw and Prince George ’15-’18) has signed a contract extension with Nefrekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the KHL. In 2020-21 Popugayev played 12 games with the KHL club, earning three assists. He had previously played 13 games with Dynamo Moskva of the KHL (1G, 2A) and seven games with Dynamo Krasnogorsk of the VHL (1G, 0A). Popugayev is an unsigned 2017 fourth-round NHL Draft pick of the New Jersey Devils.